‘Surprise’ if no Liverpool summer signings – Slot

Liverpool manager Arne Slot says “it would be a surprise for all of us” if the club do not make any summer signings.

The Reds are yet to make additions to their first-team squad during the current transfer window, which closes at 23:00 BST on Friday, 30 August.

“We already have a very good team I’m already really happy with,” said Slot, who was speaking before his side play Real Betis in Pittsburgh on Saturday (00:30 BST) in the first of three games on a pre-season tour in the United States.

“But it would be a surprise for all of us I think, if we don’t bring any player in. So that will probably happen in the end.

“For now, we are just waiting for the players to come back and waiting for the right ones to sign.”

Slot has been assessing his squad after replacing Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager, but is without a number of key players following Euro 2024 and the Copa America.

Portugal forward Diogo Jota has joined his Liverpool team-mates in Pittsburgh and France defender Ibrahima Konate and Dutch midfielder Ryan Gravenberch are also expected to link up with the Reds in America.

Scotland left-back Andy Robertson is in the US, but ruled out of playing matches until after tour as he recovers from a “small injury” he took into the Euros.

However, Trent-Alexander-Arnold, Alisson, Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Joe Gomez, Alexis Mac Allister, Darwin Nunez and Virgil van Dijk are among those who are still missing and Slot expects them to “start after the trip when we are back in Liverpool”.

“I think I said before, that the first aim is to work with these players,” added the Dutchman.

“Of course it’s a disadvantage that many of them are not here yet, I mean the players that are already under contract.

“The standards are really high when it comes to bringing in new players because we have such a good team and such a good squad.”

In addition to the arrival of Slot, there has also been upheaval behind the scenes at Liverpool with the club’s Fenway Sports Group owners appointing ex-sporting director Michael Edwards as the company’s chief executive of football.

Former Bournemouth technical director Richard Hughes has also taken over as the Anfield side’s sporting director.

“Of course Richard and me, and other people as well, are trying to improve the squad where possible, but that’s not that easy because we have so many good players,” said Slot.

“Richard, more than me, is really working hard on that as well and he keeps me updated every time. If there is any news on that, we will come to you.”

England defender Alexander-Arnold, similarly to forward Mohamed Salah and captain Van Dijk, has one year left on his Reds deal.

Asked about the 25-year-old Alexander-Arnold’s contract situation, Slot added: “My answer would probably be a bit boring. I think it’s the same answer you’ve heard in the last five, six or seven years.

“Contract situations are not discussed at this place – but just keep trying [to ask the question], I would say.”